This activity, similar to one in Chapter 10, allows students to learn by doing in the application of decision-making techniques, both independently and in groups. 

In particular, the exercise can demonstrate: 

1.  The difficulties of diagnosing leadership situations. This reality makes the important point that diagnosing leadership situations can be a very complex and challenging task and that diagnosis heavily depends on perceptions. This becomes clear when a student, who have diagnosed and solved the problems independently, complete the exercise a second time in a group. 

2.  The differences in leadership styles present in a group. 

3.  The necessity of clarifying the various parts of a problem that must be addressed in order to develop an effective solution. 

That no single leadership style is appropriate for all situations. The effective leader is one who can be flexible and respond to the situation and the type of problem, rather than seeking consistency for its own sake.